Rafael Nadal defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) in a classic to advance to the French Open semi-finals.
Nadal, who has won Roland Garros an unprecedented 13 times, exploded out the gates to blow Djokovic away in the first set before producing plenty of stellar shots to reach the last-four. The Spaniard will face German Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, while he narrowed the head-to-head deficit with Djokovic to just one at 30-29.
This much-anticipated match begun as everyone hoped it would, with two men playing stunning shot after stunning shot. Nadal took the first game of the match and set the tone for a stellar performance with a spectacular backhand on the baseline.
The Spaniard made tennis look like an art form through most of the first set, and won game six to love. Nadal was relentless and boundless, keeping pace with the Serb to win a 25-shot rally.
Ultimately, a powerful Nadal serve secured the opening set 6-2. The bubbly and passionate Parisian crowd was self-policing throughout but they certainly didn’t pretend to hide their joy at the outcome of the first set.
Even with the incredible display by the 21-time Grand Slam winner, it never felt as though Djokovic was done although that sentiment was tested early in the second set. Seven-time major champion and Eurosport commentator John McEnroe described Nadal’s tennis as ‘A+’ as the Spaniard was passing his Serbian test with flying colours.
He raced into a 3-0 lead amid stellar play, but Djokovic found form to hit back. The World No. 1 earned a break point which was fortuitously taken when Nadal floated a drop shot into the net - was the tide beginning to turn?
Yes, it was. Djokovic secured his second successive game in style, allowing a smile to creep across his face. The subject of much of the crowd’s ire, he was in the zone as he raced into a 15-40 serve as he tried to break Nadal in game six of the second set.
Nadal spectacularly battled his way to deuce and the duo exchanged chances to take the game but neither could edge over the line despite their sensational rallies. Finally, after around 18 minutes, Djokovic drew level in the set and celebrated with an ice cold fist pump.
The following game was another slog with the same result as the Serb took the lead 4-3, celebrating this time with a passionate roar. The next game once again went to deuce, only for Nadal to come out on top - but Djokovic bit back to take a 5-4 lead.
The Serb earned a set point but Nadal admirably held on, only for the inevitable to happen. Djokovic took the second set 6-4 and the third chapter of this classic instalment continued.
Nadal broke Djokovic in the opening game of the third set, and the duo each held serve as they fought like gladiators through each game. Suddenly, an ill-timed double fault condemned Djokovic to another break and placed Nadal in a commanding 4-1 lead and the Spaniard stormed to a 6-4 win in the third.
Djokovic then turned the heat up to open the fourth set, moving 3-0 up with an ease neither man expected during this titanic battle. Nadal attempted to resist and even claimed a game to love, but the World No. 1 began to find a rhythm on the worn-out clay as he stormed to a 5-2 lead.
Nadal brought it back to 5-3 and earned a break point, but Djokovic breathtakingly held his nerve. It was short-lived though, with the World No. 5 breaking his rival before taking it back to five games apiece.
Djokovic quickly hit back and held serve, prompting Nadal to duly do the same and force the tie-break. The expectant crowd simply held its breath - and they weren't to be disappointed as their favourite showed his mettle.
Nadal hit a series of stunning forehands to race into a 4-0 lead, with Djokovic showing signs of frustration. The Serb fought on, but Nadal was not to be stopped as he stormed to a 7-4 tie-break win to secure a safe passage to the semi-finals.
